Megan Condis, the author of this article, proposes that, while Disney have diversified their Princess line-up, the messages for being a "good-girl" are dependent on racial identity.
In her first argument, Condis sets out her claim, that the first-wave princesses were not to sully their beauty by stooping to perform labor, and immediately addresses the counteractions to this claim. Furthering her point to explain that, though the princesses do perform labor - most notably keeping house - this is an evil inflicted on them by the villain. The princesses are rescued by a prince, and returned to a life of luxury and privilege.
At the beginning of her second section "Ariel and Belle: Adding Feminist Flavor to the Classic Recipe" I think Condis explains well the "fine-line" Disney must walk between keeping to traditions and appeasing a modern audience.
However, I disagree with later points made in this section. For instance, Ariel is describes as "skipping out on her job as a singer in a royal concert" (31) as an act of rebellion against her father. First of all, in the film Ariel had lost track of time while exploring a ship wreck, which shows her fascination with the human world, not her rebellious act against her father. Also, I would hardly phrase it as "her job as a singer". Ariel is a princess with a beautiful voice, who stars in this musical. It is not really a profession for her! It's a more a showcase of the talents of King Triton's daughters. But what perplexes me more is how Condis states so matter of factly that King Triton "learns that he was wrong to expect [Ariel] to work as a representative of the merfolk government". WHAT!? Just.....what!? When was this ever even hinted at in Disney's movie? Oh that's right...IT WASN'T! Ariel is a 16 year old princess. She was free to swim about and explore, though her father disapproved of her obsession with the surface. She never had to work or tend to official business. Also, King Triton had been excited to first find out Ariel was in love, assuming this infatuation was with a merman, and would have been prepared for his daughter to start her own life with this new man.
"Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tiana: Non-White Femininity as Defined by Labor" - this section proposes that women of color will be workers "even if they make it all the way to the throne room".
With respect to Pocahontas, it is never outlined that her labors are far more significant than that of her predecessors. She acts as an Ambassador to her people; this is not just trivial floor scrubbing, she has real responsibilities, a position of authority, and respect. So yes, she labors, but it can hardly be lumped into the same category as before.
Also, I don't think Mulan's work can be held against her, or Disney. First of all, this loosely follows the life of an ancient Chinese warrior....so yes, Mulan is going to train and fight. Secondly, this work is something Mulan chose to do...yes to saver her father...but she made the decision to go herself, to bring honor to her family, to find out who she truly is, and to prove her capabilities. So yes, Mulan is working, but this is a self-fulfilling journey she set upon herself. Now that's far more empowering than being forced to scrub flaws by an evil step-mother and eventually being rescued by a Prince. And, Mulan's work comes to an end (in the first film), as she chooses to return home, after denying the Emperor's offer to join his council. And Mulan achieved what she set out to, she brought the highest honor to her family, and saved her father's life.
I also disagree with the analysis of The Princess and the Frog in this piece. Firstly, it would have been so historically inaccurate for Tiana to have been "upper-class nobility" that this would have caused such backlash. So Disney can hardly be blamed for not putting Tiana in the same starting position as that of Cinderella, for example.
Condis also writes that "Tiana's dreams are small and humble" - which I profoundly disagree with. In my opinion, she's the biggest dreamer of the Princess line. She has a real-goal and plans set out to achieve it. Starting up your own business from scratch is no easy feat, even ignoring an socio-economic disadvantages Tiana faced at the time. And with the song "Almost There", Condis concludes that Tiana can never escape menial tasks even as an owner, as in her dreams she's still chopping vegetables and stirring pots. Well, why not consider that this is Tiana's passion? She always loved to cook with her dad, and in fact, Condis skims over the fact that Tiana is coaching her staff, as she performs the tasks better than each. A good business owner ensures they approve of what's going on - especially with restaurants - and Tiana may not want to "abandon" her "hands-on role" in her dream restaurant that she spent years working towards. It is after all her place! It's not uncommon for such passionate owners to be on the ground. And Tiana is hardly a pot scrubber at her establishment. In her song, which is realized at the end of he film, she is elegantly dresses, and enjoys dancing around with friends and family, really bringing the community together as she's desired.
"Bried Notes on Disney's Rapunzel and Merida"
"the tribal Scottish setting of Brave suggests that to read Merida as "white" is not necessarily historically accurate; the colonial British likened the Scottish tribes to Native American peoples".
Now, I'm no expert, but as far as I'm concerned...and in my opinion as a Brit...Brave kinda got the depiction of Scottish people spot on. Yes, there are variations in every culture, but pale ginger people are very Scottish....then and now....to this day I have many pale, ginger, Scottish friends. And even if the Scotts had brown, black, or blonde hair...as also depicted in Brave...they would all have been white. They are Western European, a historically white peoples.
Condis never addresses the parallels of societal views of women, that affect the depictions of Princesses in the film. The 'diverse' Princesses are the most recent ones, as it is only recently that Disney are conscious of diversity and full representation. This trend also fits with the increase of women's rights, and the expectation that women work. So this adds further insight into the discussion, and provides another explanation for the labor of these princesses.
I like the structure of Condis' piece. In particular, how she clearly labels each section heading, making it easy to follow the conversation, and to refer back to the text at later times. Also of note is Condis' use of two introductions, the first outlining her thesis, and the second serving as background information on "The Disney Princess Line". This is effective as it conveys two different introductory sets of information to the reader, in a neat and ordered style.
Like Condis, as I write I often think of additional notes and ideas, that may not directly link to my thesis. I find it very interesting how Condis adds the section "Brief Notes on Disney's Rapunzel and Merida" (41) at the end of her essay, effectively allowing her to weigh in her additional thoughts, and address some of the latest films made after her first writing, all without disrupting the flow of the essay.
Decoding Disney
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Sunday, April 10, 2016
The Beauty in Language
This YouTube video shows Disney Princesses singing in their 'native' language. Ariel sings in Danish, Mulan in Mandarin, Elsa in Norwegian, Jasmine in Arabic, and Rapunzel in German. I love hearing different languages, so personally find this very interesting! And the songs are just as spectacular!
"Endlich sehe ich das Lich" - Tangled
"Endlich sehe ich das Licht
Und die Dunkelheit vergeht"
There's also a part two....so yep, I watched that too! This one features Belle, Snow White, Magora, Aurora, and Anna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJHpk4nWVOg
"Belle (Reprise)" - Beauty and The Beast
"Je veux tout ce que je n'ai pas :
Un ami qui me comprenne
Et des livres par centaines,
Sans m'occuper des gens qui jacassent"
I only understand the French and German translations, but here are links to translated lyrics for the other songs too: (I can't vouch for their accuracy!)
The Little Mermaid: "Part Of Your World" --> Danish
Mulan: "Reflection" --> Chinese
Frozen: "Let It Go" --> Norwegian
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/let-it-go-la-den-g%C3%A5.html
Aladdin: "A Whole New World" --> Arabic
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/di-dunya-fu2-%D8%AF%D9%89-%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%88%D9%82-whole-new-world-it-high-world.html
Aladdin: "A Whole New World" --> Arabic
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/di-dunya-fu2-%D8%AF%D9%89-%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%88%D9%82-whole-new-world-it-high-world.html
Tangled: "At Last I See The Light" --> German
Beauty and the Beast: "Belle (reprive)" --> French
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: "Whistle While You Work" --> German
Hercules: "I Won't Say I'm In Love" --> Greek
Sleeping Beauty: "Once Upon A Dream" --> French
Frozen: "For The First Time In Forever: --> Norwegian
Saturday, April 9, 2016
The BFG
Disney's The BFG comes out this July and will be an interesting compilation of Roald Dahl, Disney and Spielberg.
Also, not Disney...but an adorable puppy compilation for anyone who's in need of a smile!
https://www.facebook.com/ILoveMyDog1/videos/517419788396715/
Also, not Disney...but an adorable puppy compilation for anyone who's in need of a smile!
https://www.facebook.com/ILoveMyDog1/videos/517419788396715/
Friday, April 8, 2016
Slamming The Door
http://www.thefeministwire.com/2014/10/slamming-door-analysis-elsa-frozen/
I came across this piece when researching for my second essay. I believe it to be an exceedingly well-written response to Frozen, by an undergraduate student.
A must read for all interested in Frozen and particularly the complex character of Elsa.
I came across this piece when researching for my second essay. I believe it to be an exceedingly well-written response to Frozen, by an undergraduate student.
A must read for all interested in Frozen and particularly the complex character of Elsa.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Gender Role Portrayal and the Disney Princess
"Gender Role Portrayal and the Disney Princess" is an academic article by Dawn Elizabeth England.
This is an unusual Disney related article in that it takes a scientific stand-point as opposed to the usual humanities focus. This article focuses on data from a coded analysis of the Disney films to analyze the male and female characteristics. There are biases in this piece, as the data was carried out by the same people using it to prove their point. And many conclusions can be drawn from the same data. As also, the researchers assigned their own definitions to the characteristic traits used in their study, and categorized these traits into masculine and feminine in their own arbitrary way. For instance, "wants to explore" or "engaging in intellectual activity" were arbitrarily assigned as masculine traits. And naturally, many Princesses show these traits throughout the films, far more than any male, just as Ariel and Belle spring immediately to mind.
Interestingly, many Disney critiques condone the animation studio for not giving the Princesses any independence; many authors I've already blogged about (included Trites) argue that the Princesses are merely transferred from father to husband and never given autonomy. This study described a character as being independent if they performed "an independent action against many, being alone when it was not the norm, or not participating in the expected culture". Isn't this the plot line for like every Princess story!? And the statistics show that independence is the fourth highest trait observed in the Princesses.
This scholarly article was written before the release of more recent films like Tangled, Brave or Frozen. So, although it's analysis tries to compare trends between the first, second, and third waves (e.g. Hypothesis 3 proposing that the gender role portrayals become more egalitarian over time), this analysis would be more credible had the authors waited until the end - or at least further into - the third wave. Using data from only one source cannot be deemed that reliable, and as the later films have shown, the progressive trends and spunky personalities to extend!
This is an unusual Disney related article in that it takes a scientific stand-point as opposed to the usual humanities focus. This article focuses on data from a coded analysis of the Disney films to analyze the male and female characteristics. There are biases in this piece, as the data was carried out by the same people using it to prove their point. And many conclusions can be drawn from the same data. As also, the researchers assigned their own definitions to the characteristic traits used in their study, and categorized these traits into masculine and feminine in their own arbitrary way. For instance, "wants to explore" or "engaging in intellectual activity" were arbitrarily assigned as masculine traits. And naturally, many Princesses show these traits throughout the films, far more than any male, just as Ariel and Belle spring immediately to mind.
Interestingly, many Disney critiques condone the animation studio for not giving the Princesses any independence; many authors I've already blogged about (included Trites) argue that the Princesses are merely transferred from father to husband and never given autonomy. This study described a character as being independent if they performed "an independent action against many, being alone when it was not the norm, or not participating in the expected culture". Isn't this the plot line for like every Princess story!? And the statistics show that independence is the fourth highest trait observed in the Princesses.
This scholarly article was written before the release of more recent films like Tangled, Brave or Frozen. So, although it's analysis tries to compare trends between the first, second, and third waves (e.g. Hypothesis 3 proposing that the gender role portrayals become more egalitarian over time), this analysis would be more credible had the authors waited until the end - or at least further into - the third wave. Using data from only one source cannot be deemed that reliable, and as the later films have shown, the progressive trends and spunky personalities to extend!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
The Princess and The Frog
I first watched this film at the beginning of Spring Break. I hadn't previously seen it, or heard any of the songs or picked up any of the plot-line, so I honestly had no idea what to expect.
Overall I enjoyed "The Princess and The Frog" and found it an interesting notion that we had an obnoxious Prince who could be made an arguably better person by getting to know, and falling in love with, the Princess, Tiana.
I particularly like the song "Almost There" and the notion of hard-work leading to success that this displays. Importantly, the film shows that Tiana works too hard, and is unable to enjoy life because she's too busy working towards the future. This is where Mamma Ottis, and finally the Prince, help Tiana find a better work/life balance...eventually!
Prince Naveen transforms from being a shallow, materialistic bachelor, simply out for a good time, to seeing the value in real relationships, the reward hard work and perseverance can bring and the fulfillment of such a new lifestyle.
Tiana and Naveen are such opposites, who come together and ultimately compliment one another. Before they met, neither of one of them were living a sustainable of fulfilling lifestyle. Naveen was depleting his funds, and Tiana her energy. Naveen worked far too little and Tiana way too much. But together, they work to open Tiana's Place and become successful and happy, fulfilling both of their aspirations.
Again, there's a key Disney message imbedded in this film. Mamma Ottis tried to teach Tiana this in the swamp, but she only truly realizes the lesson as she fights the sorcerer and avoids his illusions by realizing she didn't need her perfect restaurant to fulfill her life, she needed meaningful relationships: "My daddy never did get what he wanted. But he had what he needed. He had love"
A second Disney lesson is that greed is a bad trait, as this lead's to Naveen's man servant succumbing to the Shadow Man, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
A character of particular note to me is Charlotte - or Lottie - who is someone I can only describe as a Southern Belle, complete with large, frilly frocks, the deep Southern accent, and a nice trust-fund to match. Lottie is enthralled with "Princess". She reads fairytales as a young girl, while envisioning her future Prince. She dresses like a Princess. She arguable acts, and is treated by her father, like a Princess. Lottie, however, is not content to WAIT for her Prince. She eagerly drives along this process, having her father host Prince Naveen and throwing an extravagant party for him. She's a girl who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to make it happen.
Her relationship with Tiana is very special. When Lottie is with Tiana, she is not selfish, but kind and considerate. She seeks to help Tiana and make her happy. She helps her get ready to enjoy the party. She shares her desires. Yet, most beautiful of all, is when she gives up her Prince because she values Tiana's happiness over her childhood dream. She would not marry Naveen just because he's a Prince, as this meant breaking apart Tiana and Naveen's love. There are so many sacrifices people are prepared to make for those they love - Naveen marrying Lottie to be able to fund Tiana's dream, Tiana giving up Naveen because she thinks he and Lottie belong together as the fairytale couple, followed by Lottie giving up her Prince. This shows kindness and consideration in their willingness to sacrifice. But ultimately shows that by being open with one-another, they can achieve harmony. Tiana and Naveen would rather remain frogs, if it mean they could remain together. The magical Disney twist, is that when the frog swamp wedding occurs, Tiana becomes a Princess, by marrying a Prince, and thus, as the two frogs kiss, they are transformed back into humans.
The Shadow Man is a character I haven't quite wrapped my head round yet. He moves the plot forward, but the strange voodoo / demonic twist is a new angle for a Disney Princes movie. I mean yes, in Snow White the evil Queen performed magic, and Malefiscent, Ursula, and other such magical villains have existed. But I can't help but feel that this is a new level and interestingly now a male villain using dark magic.
This film certainly wasn't what I would have imagined it to be. The twist on the Princess and The Frog tale is rather interesting and certainly a modern creation.
Overall I enjoyed "The Princess and The Frog" and found it an interesting notion that we had an obnoxious Prince who could be made an arguably better person by getting to know, and falling in love with, the Princess, Tiana.
I particularly like the song "Almost There" and the notion of hard-work leading to success that this displays. Importantly, the film shows that Tiana works too hard, and is unable to enjoy life because she's too busy working towards the future. This is where Mamma Ottis, and finally the Prince, help Tiana find a better work/life balance...eventually!
Prince Naveen transforms from being a shallow, materialistic bachelor, simply out for a good time, to seeing the value in real relationships, the reward hard work and perseverance can bring and the fulfillment of such a new lifestyle.
Tiana and Naveen are such opposites, who come together and ultimately compliment one another. Before they met, neither of one of them were living a sustainable of fulfilling lifestyle. Naveen was depleting his funds, and Tiana her energy. Naveen worked far too little and Tiana way too much. But together, they work to open Tiana's Place and become successful and happy, fulfilling both of their aspirations.
Again, there's a key Disney message imbedded in this film. Mamma Ottis tried to teach Tiana this in the swamp, but she only truly realizes the lesson as she fights the sorcerer and avoids his illusions by realizing she didn't need her perfect restaurant to fulfill her life, she needed meaningful relationships: "My daddy never did get what he wanted. But he had what he needed. He had love"
A second Disney lesson is that greed is a bad trait, as this lead's to Naveen's man servant succumbing to the Shadow Man, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
A character of particular note to me is Charlotte - or Lottie - who is someone I can only describe as a Southern Belle, complete with large, frilly frocks, the deep Southern accent, and a nice trust-fund to match. Lottie is enthralled with "Princess". She reads fairytales as a young girl, while envisioning her future Prince. She dresses like a Princess. She arguable acts, and is treated by her father, like a Princess. Lottie, however, is not content to WAIT for her Prince. She eagerly drives along this process, having her father host Prince Naveen and throwing an extravagant party for him. She's a girl who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to make it happen.
Her relationship with Tiana is very special. When Lottie is with Tiana, she is not selfish, but kind and considerate. She seeks to help Tiana and make her happy. She helps her get ready to enjoy the party. She shares her desires. Yet, most beautiful of all, is when she gives up her Prince because she values Tiana's happiness over her childhood dream. She would not marry Naveen just because he's a Prince, as this meant breaking apart Tiana and Naveen's love. There are so many sacrifices people are prepared to make for those they love - Naveen marrying Lottie to be able to fund Tiana's dream, Tiana giving up Naveen because she thinks he and Lottie belong together as the fairytale couple, followed by Lottie giving up her Prince. This shows kindness and consideration in their willingness to sacrifice. But ultimately shows that by being open with one-another, they can achieve harmony. Tiana and Naveen would rather remain frogs, if it mean they could remain together. The magical Disney twist, is that when the frog swamp wedding occurs, Tiana becomes a Princess, by marrying a Prince, and thus, as the two frogs kiss, they are transformed back into humans.
The Shadow Man is a character I haven't quite wrapped my head round yet. He moves the plot forward, but the strange voodoo / demonic twist is a new angle for a Disney Princes movie. I mean yes, in Snow White the evil Queen performed magic, and Malefiscent, Ursula, and other such magical villains have existed. But I can't help but feel that this is a new level and interestingly now a male villain using dark magic.
This film certainly wasn't what I would have imagined it to be. The twist on the Princess and The Frog tale is rather interesting and certainly a modern creation.
Brave
It is interesting how Brave begins by depicting the restrictions and limitations of being a Princess. Highlighting the discrepancies between what Merida's brothers can do and how she "can't get away with anything" as she is held to a different standard. "A Princess rises early, is compassionate, cautious, patient, clean" her mother teaches Merida and the viewers. When Merida genuinely enjoys herself, she is berated for "chortling" and behaving in a manor not accustom to a Princess.
One of the most poignant pieces of 'advice' Merida's mother gives her is:
"and above all, a Princess strives for...well, perfection"
This is because it fits so well with Duke's studies of the cycle of effortless perfection and the pressure this puts on women to achieve it all without looking like they're breaking a sweat. This dramatically highlights the double standards held for males and females. The little Prince's are able to run wild and do not receive strict training, like Merida, nor are they expected to strive for or even attain perfection. Yet, Merida is set on a grueling task to chase unattainable perfection. Now this hardly seems fair! And this is what Pixar/Disney highlight through Merida's narrative. They're showing that 'Princess' isn't always what it's glamorized to be; in reality it can be restrictive and unfair. Brave is showing that we should encourage and nurture girls to follow their own passions, not what may be 'expected' of them because of their gender.
Merida explains that she enjoyed most her days where she didn't have to be a Princess because there were "no lessons and no expectations". In reality, Merida doesn't magically stop being a Princess on this day, she still has the same birth-right, she just has freedom to do what she wants. So this shows that Merida equates Princess with limitations, and sees her freedom of choice as not fitting into the role of a Princess - hence, her days off from this role. She sees this as "A day I can change my fate" and by the end of the film she has achieved this - she has changed society's perception of "Princess" and the notion of marriage too. Now, the next generation are able to take control of their own lives, choose their own future partners, and enjoy their own pursuits in life.
Even as a young child as Merida's father gives her a bow for her birthday, which she is evidently delighted at, the mother is upset that this isn't a gift for a lady.
Merida becomes a very skilled archer, shown to the viewers as she gallops through the forest hitting each target with precision. Merida excels in that which she enjoys, archery, and she struggles with that which is forced upon her, Princess lessons. An important message that can be gleamed from this is that we shouldn't force children into things, or stifle their passions. Success, to an extent, follows happiness.
Brave focuses on the relationship between Merida and her mother.
At the very beginning of the film, Merida and her mother are shown to be close. Playing in the field together on her birthday, and laughing and cuddling, they share precious bonding moments. However, this relationship definitively changes as Merida grows up, and is expected more and more to act like a lady. Her mother is preparing her for her future as the lady of a household - as a Queen. The forced instructions put a divide between the two, and lead to feelings of resentment on Merida's part and frustrtation on that of her mother's.
At the dinner table, Merida's mother doesn't listen to her adventures and shows no interest in what Merida's passions. This is followed by Merida being informed of her future betrothals, and consequently rebelling to try to regain control of her own life: "no it's what you've been preparing me for your whole life, I won't go through with this, you can't make me". This feisty, new-age Princess is not afraid to stand her ground against her parents in a matter as important to her as this.
The real relationship breakdown is shown as Merida acts out and slices the family tapestry following this incident, and her mother burns her bow (though does rescue it shortly after, clearly regretting the fight they've had).
Now, throw in some Disney style magic, and next thing you know, the mother is transformed into a bear. This is a very obvious struggle that the two must overcome together, repairing their relationship in the process. I particularly love the speech Merida gives to the room full of men, as her mother-bear signs across the room to her. Through this speech, we see the mother's change in attitude and acceptance of Merida, and this helps bring happiness and harmony to a place of previous discord.
One of the most poignant pieces of 'advice' Merida's mother gives her is:
"and above all, a Princess strives for...well, perfection"
This is because it fits so well with Duke's studies of the cycle of effortless perfection and the pressure this puts on women to achieve it all without looking like they're breaking a sweat. This dramatically highlights the double standards held for males and females. The little Prince's are able to run wild and do not receive strict training, like Merida, nor are they expected to strive for or even attain perfection. Yet, Merida is set on a grueling task to chase unattainable perfection. Now this hardly seems fair! And this is what Pixar/Disney highlight through Merida's narrative. They're showing that 'Princess' isn't always what it's glamorized to be; in reality it can be restrictive and unfair. Brave is showing that we should encourage and nurture girls to follow their own passions, not what may be 'expected' of them because of their gender.
Merida explains that she enjoyed most her days where she didn't have to be a Princess because there were "no lessons and no expectations". In reality, Merida doesn't magically stop being a Princess on this day, she still has the same birth-right, she just has freedom to do what she wants. So this shows that Merida equates Princess with limitations, and sees her freedom of choice as not fitting into the role of a Princess - hence, her days off from this role. She sees this as "A day I can change my fate" and by the end of the film she has achieved this - she has changed society's perception of "Princess" and the notion of marriage too. Now, the next generation are able to take control of their own lives, choose their own future partners, and enjoy their own pursuits in life.
Even as a young child as Merida's father gives her a bow for her birthday, which she is evidently delighted at, the mother is upset that this isn't a gift for a lady.
Merida becomes a very skilled archer, shown to the viewers as she gallops through the forest hitting each target with precision. Merida excels in that which she enjoys, archery, and she struggles with that which is forced upon her, Princess lessons. An important message that can be gleamed from this is that we shouldn't force children into things, or stifle their passions. Success, to an extent, follows happiness.
Brave focuses on the relationship between Merida and her mother.
At the very beginning of the film, Merida and her mother are shown to be close. Playing in the field together on her birthday, and laughing and cuddling, they share precious bonding moments. However, this relationship definitively changes as Merida grows up, and is expected more and more to act like a lady. Her mother is preparing her for her future as the lady of a household - as a Queen. The forced instructions put a divide between the two, and lead to feelings of resentment on Merida's part and frustrtation on that of her mother's.
At the dinner table, Merida's mother doesn't listen to her adventures and shows no interest in what Merida's passions. This is followed by Merida being informed of her future betrothals, and consequently rebelling to try to regain control of her own life: "no it's what you've been preparing me for your whole life, I won't go through with this, you can't make me". This feisty, new-age Princess is not afraid to stand her ground against her parents in a matter as important to her as this.
The real relationship breakdown is shown as Merida acts out and slices the family tapestry following this incident, and her mother burns her bow (though does rescue it shortly after, clearly regretting the fight they've had).
Now, throw in some Disney style magic, and next thing you know, the mother is transformed into a bear. This is a very obvious struggle that the two must overcome together, repairing their relationship in the process. I particularly love the speech Merida gives to the room full of men, as her mother-bear signs across the room to her. Through this speech, we see the mother's change in attitude and acceptance of Merida, and this helps bring happiness and harmony to a place of previous discord.
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